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Eggbuckland memories

Here are memories of Eggbuckland and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Eggbuckland or a Eggbuckland photo.

Great Grandfather Finemore

I have just discovered that my great grandfather William L Finemore was born in Knacker's knowle, Egg Buckland in 1841. He later moved to Gosport in Hampshire where he married Mary and had 5 children, one of which was my paternal grandmother.

I'm interested to know if there are any Finemore's still living in the area who could be possible relatives?

Memories of Devon

Bubbles up Your Bum!

The Bathing Pool c1950
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Just look closely at the picture, sitting on top of the fountain was half the fun & excitement of coming to the pool. Water wings under my arms and the supervision of Granddad Russell I made my first attempt at learning to swim. Getting really daring swimming to the back of the pool, climbing out would lead to the open sea where only the brave would swim. The pool was accessed by steps from the road at the front of the Hoe. Walking down the damp steps we then divided into boys and girls changing rooms from where we emerged into the circular concrete pool. There were 2 four layer fountains to climb and sit on and a central taller fountain where the 'teenagers' hung out.  Without the luxury of an indoor swimming pool we went from Sailsbury Road, Primary School, I can only think by pd2 Bristol bus, for our swimming lessons. After the time in the pool we dressed and walked through the passage way by the pool... Read more

Ford Park Cemetery

The Cemetery 1889
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The Cemetery, popularly known as Ford Park Cemetery, and owned by the Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse Cemetery Company finally went into liquidation in 1999 owing to the decline in burials following the opening of the two Council run cemeteries at Weston Mill and Efford and also in part due to the increasing popularity of cremation. At that time there had been upwards of 250,000 pesons interred in the Cemetery but there was still room for some 10,000 more.
A charity - The Ford Park Cemetery Trust - was formed in 2000 to run the over-grown and vandal damaged cemetery and has now, with the help of a very willing team of volunteers and a dedicated ground staff, completely cleared the grounds, replanted trees, restored many of the graves and turned this once ailing eyesore into a fully functioning cemetery with annual burials numbering some 50. There is also a fund-raising drive underway to restore the old Victorian Chapel and turn the new chapel into a heritage centre.

Plymouth College

The Cemetery 1889
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Whilst this is the best known photograph of Ford Park Cemetery in the late nineteenth century it is also one of the best of Plymouth College (seen in the top right), because it was taken at a time when the school still owned all the land down to the eastern cemetery wall and had continuing hopes of extending the first phase of the Oxbridge style complex to both sides and forward as well as further developing the prominent site into impressive gardens and playing fields. Regretably expensive civil proceedings arising from a sporting accident left the school almost bankrupt and all but the small residual cricket pitch had to be sold to speculative residential developers who quickly filled the huge site with dense terraces right down to the edge of the burial grounds.

A Family Visit to The National Marine Aquarium

Sutton Pool 1904
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This view is close to the Fisheries Quay and the area now known as Sutton Harbour. I visited with my family on a cold wet Easter Saturday to give my granddaughter Anna a day long tour of the National Marine Aquarium. The rain and hail poured down outside and we were glad to get into the cosy warmth indoors where we spent an entire day touring the exhibits. We stood at the panoramic window viewpoint on the top floor and looked out over the line of fishing vessels which are now a great deal more modern than those shown in this picture!

Anna's favourite exhibit was the huge tank holding deep water fish including sharks! I loved the "Coral Seas" exhibit with the brightly coloured tropical fishes. It is a truly educational experience with fascinating storyboards beside each of the tanks. Some of the glass viewing panels are huge and much higher than a standing man so the fish actually swim above you! I loved it and... Read more

J Cousins Hairdressers

George Street 1889
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My mother was apprenticed to the ladies' hairdressers in George Street, circa 1934. She did well and was made manageress of the salon in the late 1930s. Her name was Betty Cowling, she was born and raised in Bickleigh and would come into Plymouth every morning on the steam train from Bickleigh station. A long shot but does anyone out there remember anything of this? The Blitz, of course, ended Mum's dream, she said she heard the bombs in the night, but obviously they were preparing themselves for Devonport being hit. The Germans were lousy pathfinders. But New George Street, as does my beloved Mum, lives on in my heart forever. I would love any photos of J Cousins Hairdressers if anyone has any?

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